Brooklin students starstruck over astronaut Chris Hadfield

Retired astronaut celebrates opening of Chris Hadfield Public School

Meeting the man behind Chris Hadfield Public School

Chris Hadfield was a nine-year-old boy when he watched Neil Armstrong walk on the moon from his television set and decided he wanted to be just like him. Forty-five years later, Mr. Hadfield is himself inspiring children to be the best they can be, and a small group of them were treated to a visit by the retired Canadian astronaut at the official opening of Chris Hadfield Public School on May 9.

Chris Hadfield singing

Ryan Pfeiffer / Metroland

BROOKLIN -- Retired Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield sang with the choir as he helped to officially open the Brooklin public school named in his honour on May 9. The two-storey, 58,633 square foot school opened its doors to the community in September. May 9, 2014.

BROOKLIN -- Chris Hadfield was a nine-year-old boy when he watched Neil Armstrong walk on the moon from his television set and decided he wanted to be just like him.

Forty-five years later, Mr. Hadfield is himself inspiring children to be the best they can be, and a small group of them were treated to a visit by the retired Canadian astronaut at the official opening of Chris Hadfield Public School on May 9.

The two-storey, 58,633-square-foot school opened its doors in Brooklin in September, but the grand opening treated guests to skits and musical performances by the students, video clips and an appearance by Mr. Hadfield himself in the gym, which was transformed to look like outer space.

Mr. Hadfield, the first Canadian to command the International Space Station, captivated audiences of all ages through his use of social media when he was in space from December 2012 to May 2013.

They need to see the kids at this school. Chris Hadfield, retired Canadian astronaut

His positive attitude and great accomplishments helped the naming committee for the Durham District School Board’s new elementary school settle on ‘Chris Hadfield Public School.’

“Chris Hadfield has said, ‘Don’t look back, that’s not where you’re going,” principal Susan Jasper quoted him as saying in her speech at the opening.

Whitby trustees Kim Zeppieri and Christine Winters, as well as board chairman Joe Allin, spoke about the positivity attached to Mr. Hadfield’s name.

“Everyone needs a hero and a role model and Chris Hadfield is a hero of our time,” said Trustee Zeppieri.

When it was Mr. Hadfield’s turn to speak, he sat amongst of a group of students on the stage. He thanked them for their performances and said having the school named after him is a “tremendous honour.”

He said space shuttle launches are good ways to focus on what is important, and compared them to the opening of the new school.

“We have a shared objective in mind,” he said.

He told the students that people are not perfect, but every single person is capable of greatness. He said each one of them is going to grow up to be something.

“That something you grow up to be is a result of the little decisions you make,” he said.

He suggested the children have a long-term goal in mind but recognize those small steps are important.

Mr. Hadfield played guitar and sang along with the children to Is somebody singing -- the song he, musicians and hundreds of thousands of students sang simultaneously for Music Monday through social media when he was in space.

The Canadian Space Agency has always relayed a message to young people to recognize the opportunities that exist for them, Mr. Hadfield told reporters after the celebration.

He said the production by the kids at Chris Hadfield PS showed how great young people are today, and said anyone with doubts “(needs) to come on a day like today.

“They need to see the kids at this school,” he said.

When asked what’s next, the retired astronaut said he wants to go back to school to continue to learn.

“There’s a world of opportunity,” he said.

Kristen Calis covers Pickering and writes a pet column for the Metroland Media Group’s Durham Region Division. Anyone with upcoming animal charity events that they would like listed in Kristen’s Kritters can e-mail kcalis@durhamregion.com.